This Sundays league fixture against Darley Sports Raiders was highly anticipated after the Rams lost to their opponents in last seasons Cup Final.

This fixture is always hugely competitive and hard fought, today was no different.

From the very first moments, tough tackles were flying in from both teams. Some very stout, strong and brave defending was needed in the early phase to keep the Darley attack at bay. The starting backline really set the foundations for a solid team performance and gave nothing away.

The opening goal came after 5 minutes, when our midfield managed to steal the ball back before Oli Bayley played a terrific through ball to Theo Baines. Baines took the ball in his stride with a fantastic first touch and as you'd expect from a man on fire, he found the back of the net with ease.

The opening goal only served to fire up the Darley team and it really was an incredible team effort to keep them at bay. Solid defending as well as grit in midfield allowed us to maintain control of the game.

Our first substitution of the game saw Hugo Fern replace the always dependable Kian Butler on the right hand side. Within seconds, Fern made a telling contribution with a fantastic ball down the wing to Baines. Baines managed to send a pin point cross to Finn who unleashed a full volley like a missile into the net for a 2-0 lead going in to half time. The half time clean sheet was in tact largely to a fabulous save just before the break from Harry Molyneux.

Strong words at half time from the management meant the boys knew that the game wasn't yet won and full focus was required right up until the final whistle.

Charlie Bradley was introduced into the game and was an absolute menace down the left hand side, turning his full back inside out time and time again. The midfield 3 of Toby, Oli and Tom ran the show and kept the ball moving and recovered possession time and time again. The forward 3 of Finn, George and Theo are a threat for any team at this age group and kept creating chances and putting pressure on the Darley back line. But, as has become routine for this young Rams team, the defence was rock solid. Kian was everywhere down the right, Lewis and Jake at centre halves won every header, every tackle, every loose ball. Hugo and Max at full back showed the perfect balance of attacking support with defensive commitment.

The game was effectively put to bed when Oli lobbed the keeper for the third goal following a through ball from Tom Malone.

Darley, to their credit, kept pressing and got a consolation goal towards the end to deny the Rams a clean sheet.

A fantastic result which puts last seasons disappointment to bed and keeps up the Rams 100% League record this season.

Man of the Match - Tom Malone